Mewar town below a vast hilltop fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with palaces, temples and towers.
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Chittorgarh Fort spreads over about 700 acres on a hill above the town and holds palaces, victory towers and about 20 temples tied to the stories of Rani Padmini and Meera Bai. It suits history lovers, photographers and families on a Rajasthan circuit, and it is an easy add-on from Udaipur.
Trip planner
Plan from your city
Photos
Chittorgarh Fort on its hilltopA reservoir inside Chittorgarh FortMonuments inside Chittor FortMeera Temple inside the fortWalls and buildings of Chittorgarh Fort
Photos from Wikimedia Commons. Select a photo for its author and licence.
Best time to go
When
What to expect
October to March
The cooler months and the most commonly advised time to visit; good for walking around the fort. October and November are also good for Bassi Wildlife Sanctuary.
April to June
Very hot, with daytime highs of about 42 to 44 degrees C. Visit the fort early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
July to September
Monsoon months. Some guides call this a good time as the land turns green, and nearby waterfalls such as Menal flow best then.
Sights and activities
1
Chittorgarh Fort and Gaumukh Reservoir
A hilltop fort of about 700 acres with seven gates, a long perimeter wall and about 65 old structures. Inside, the Gaumukh Reservoir is a spring-fed tank where visitors feed the fish. A light and sound show runs in the evening.
Distance
On the hill directly above the town, about 150 m higher than the city
Entry
About Rs 40 to 50 for Indians and Rs 200 to 600 for foreigners (sources differ); light and sound show about Rs 50 to 100 for Indians
Timings
About 9:30 am to 6:30 pm; light and sound show in the evening around 7 pm
A 15th-century tower about 37 m (122 feet) tall, built by Maharana Kumbha and covered in carvings of Hindu gods and epic scenes. Visitors can climb the inside stairs for views.
The largest structure in the fort and once the home of Rana Kumbha. It is now largely in ruins, with halls, temples and underground cellars linked to the jauhar story.
Temples inside the fort. Meera Temple honours the poet-saint Meera Bai, Kumbha Shyam Temple is known for its carvings, and Kalika Mata Temple began as an 8th-century sun temple.
Distance
Inside the fort
Entry
Free
Timings
Roughly early morning to evening; hours vary by temple
RSRTC and private buses run from Udaipur (about 100 km, 2 to 3 hours), Jaipur (about 255 km, 6 to 7 hours), Ahmedabad (6 to 7 hours) and Delhi (10 hours or more).
By train
Chittaurgarh Junction (COR) is in the town and has trains to Jaipur, Ajmer, Kota, Udaipur and Delhi. A daily train from Delhi Sarai Rohilla takes about 9.5 hours, and Jaipur to Chittorgarh takes about 5 hours.
By air
The nearest airport is Maharana Pratap Airport (Dabok) at Udaipur, about 90 to 95 km away; a taxi takes about 1.5 hours.
Where to base yourself
Stay in Chittorgarh town near the railway station or on the road up to the fort, where most hotels are.
Getting around
Autorickshaws are the usual way to get from the town and station up to the fort.
A full-day AC taxi tour of the fort and its monuments costs about Rs 2,700 for a sedan or Rs 3,700 for an SUV, excluding entry fees.
Inside the fort, walking between the main monuments is the best way to see them in detail, though cars can drive between them.
Often combined with
Places people usually visit on the same trip, and how long it takes to get between them.
Most food is at roadside eateries and simple restaurants serving Rajasthani and north Indian dishes, with street stalls around Sadar Bazaar, Rana Sanga Market and Fort Road.
Try these
Dal baati churma (lentils with baked wheat balls and sweet crumbled bread)
Ghatte ki khichdi (rice and lentils with gram-flour dumplings)
Ker sangri (dried desert berries and beans)
Laal maas (spicy mutton curry with red chillies)
Vegetarian food is widely available.
Daily costs
Budget level
Stay per room
Food per person
Local transport
Budget
₹1,100
₹500
₹300 per person
Mid-range
₹2,400
₹1,000
₹2,700 per vehicle
Luxury
₹5,000
₹2,000
₹3,700 per vehicle
Per day. Travel to and from your city is added in the planner above.
Permits and documents
No permit needed. Carry photo ID; foreigners pay a higher entry fee at the fort.
Safety
By day
The fort is a busy ticketed monument in daytime. Carry water and sun protection, as there is a lot of walking in the open.
At night
The fort closes in the evening apart from the light and sound show. Use a known auto or taxi to return to town after the show.
Solo women
No specific concerns were found online; usual precautions apply, such as avoiding empty parts of the fort late in the day.
Roads
The town is on main highways to Udaipur, Jaipur and Ahmedabad. The road up to the fort climbs through several gates.
Emergency numbers
112 (all emergencies)
Practical
Mobile network
All the main networks (Jio, Airtel, Vi and BSNL) work in town.
ATMs and cash
ATMs are easy to find in town. Expect ATMs in the town rather than inside the fort.
Fuel
There are several petrol pumps in and around town.
Medical
Hospitals are easy to find across the city. In an emergency dial 112, or 108 for an ambulance in most states. The nearest hospitals are in Chittorgarh town, the district headquarters.
